Stuffing box



Nov. 15, 1927. 1,649,662

s. cALvx-:RT

STUFFING BOX Filed July 25. 1926 Patented Nov. 15, 1927.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

STUFIEING BOX.

Application led July 26,

This invention relates to a stuffing box designed primarily for the polish rod of pumps for oil and water wells, but it is to be understood that a stuffing box, in accordance a with this invention, can be employed for any purposes for which it is found applicable, and the invention has for its object to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, whereby the packing means for the lo rod is subjected to sidewise pressure, instead of from the top thereof, for the purpose of tightening the packing means with respect to the rod, whereby the packing means will be held in snug engagement throughout with the periphery of the rod and further for enabling such packing means to be substantially used up instead of only a small portion thereof, as is the case 'when the packing means is tightened from the top, under such conditions providing for material saving in the cost of maintenance.

A further object of the invention is to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a stutling box designed primarily for the polish rods of pumps for oil and water wells and including a packing means for the polish rod and further including for the lubrication of the polish rod thereby preventing excess wear on the packing means 3@ by the action of the polish rod.

A further object of the invention is to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a stuffing box designed primarily for the polish rods of pumps of oil and water wells and including a packing means formed of a pair of resilient spring controlled sections having their opposed faces engaging throughout the packing rod under such conditions providing for uniform wear of such faces and further enabling said sections to be substantially used up before discarding.

Further objects of the invention are to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a stuffing boi; for the purpose set forth which is simple in its construction and arrangement, strong, dura-ble, compact, thoroughly efficient in its use, conveniently ad- `iusted, readily installed with respect to a polish rod, and comparatively inexpensive to set up.

`With the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention consists ofthe novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts as hereinafter more specifically described, and illustrated in the accompany- CIS 1926. Serial No. 125,114.

ing drawings, wherein is shown an embodiment of the invention, but it is to be understood that changes, variations and modifications can be resorted to which fall within the scope of the claims hereunto appended.

In the drawings wherein like reference characters denote corresponding parts throughout the several views:

Figure l is a vertical sectional view of a stuffing box in accordance with this invention and further showing the adaptation thereof in connection with the polish rod of an oil well pump.

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the stufling box.

Figure 3 is a section on line 3-3, Figure 1.

Referring to the drawings in detail 1 indicates the polish rod of an oil Well pump and which as shown is of tapered contour. The lower end of the rod 1 is formed with a reduced peripherally threaded shank 2 to provide for the coupling to the rod l to a pump rod 3. The pump rod 3 is formed at its upper end with a socketft havingthe wall thereof threaded. The shank 2 threadably engages with the wall of the socket 4. The foregoing elements are of known construction and are illustrated to show the adaptation, with the polish rod, of a stuffing box in accordance with this invention.

The stuiing box comprises a housing referred to generally by the reference character 5 and a top or cover therefor referred to generally by the reference character 6. The housing is of cylindrical contour and comprises an upper portion 7, an intermediate portion 8 and a lower portion 9. The portion 7 is formed with a diametrically disposed chamber 7, of less height than the height of said portion 7. The chamber 7 opens at the 'top of the portion 7 and is substantially rectangular in contour in plan. The lower portion 9 is in the form of a sleeve or collar. axial bore 8 which extends entirely through the portion 8 and through the lower part of the portion 7. The upper end of the bore 8 opens into the chamber 7 and the lower end of said bore opens into the portion 9. rlhe portion 8 is of tapered contour and the portion 7 is of materially greater diameter than the diameter of the portion 9. The portion 7 has its outer face, at the upper portion thereof formed with eripheral threads l0. The inner face of t portion 9 is threaded throughout as indicated rlhe housing 5 includes an at 11. The portion 7 is provided-with a pair of diametrically opposed openings 12, 13 and each has the Wall thereof threaded. The portion 7 is furthermore provided with a pair of peripheral bosses 14. The bosses are in the form of collars and the inner faces thereof form continuations of the o enings referred to. The inner faces of t e bosses are threaded and which form continuations of the threads on the walls of the openings referred to. The interior threads on the portion 9 provide means for connecting a tubing section to the lower end of the housing 5. housing 5 is of less height than the .portion 9.

The top or cover 6 consists of a shell like body portion 15 having formed integral with its inner face a fiat web 16. The inner diameter of the body portion 15 is such as to engage the periphery of the housing 5. The web 16 is in the form of a fiat annulus. The web is positioned intermediate the top and bottom edges of the body portion 15 and is formed mtegral with the inner face of the body portion 15. Formed integral with the web 16 at its inner edge, is a vertically disposed olygonal shaped extension or sleeve 17 whic projects a substantial distance above the top edge of the body portion 15. That part of the body portion 15 above the web 16, and in connection with the latter and sleeve 17 forms a lubricant chamber 18. The sleeve 17 not only forms the inner wall of the lubricant chambers 18 but is extended above the top of the body portion 15 and forms a guide for the pump rod. The extending of the sleeve 17 above the to of the body portion 15 prevents, when fi ing the lubricant chamber, the lubricant from overflowing into the passage provided by the sleeve. At the point of joinder of the web 16 with the lower end of the sleeve 17 a series of inclined ports 19 are formed for the purpose of discharging the lubricant from the chamber 18. The lubricant is employed for lubricating the polish rod 1 so as to overcome excessive wear on the packing elements, to be resently referred to and which are arrange within the housing 5 and snugly engage the periphery of the polish rod 1.

Arranged within the chamber 7, as well as being supported upon the bottom of said chamber 7 is a pair of oppositely disposed packin elements and each of which is constructe from a block of resilient material, preferably rubber. One of the packing elements is indicated at 20 and the other at 21. The inner side face of each of said elements is formed with a lengthwise extending groove, as indicated at 22 and the groove is semi-circular in cross section and shown tapered to conform to the curvature of the polish rod 1. When the packing element The portion 8 of the` 2O and 21 are in enveloping position with respect to the polish rod l, the upper ends: of said elements abut against the weh i6 whereby the upward movement of such elements 1s arrested. Preferably the packing arranged against the outer side face of the element 21 is a follower member 25. The said follower members are of rectangular contour, of the same width as the side faces of the elements 20, 21, but the length of the follower members is less than the length of the packing elements. When the follower mem ers are positioned against the packing elements these latter project above and beow the upper and lower ends of said memers.

Associated with each follower member, is a presser element therefor and which is positioned against the outer face of its associated follower member. The presser elements are indicated at 26 and are oppositel disposed with respect to each other. Eac. presser element is of the same width as a follower member, but of less length than the length of the member. The presser elements are oppositely disposed with respect to each other and each of which consists of an arcuate shaped body portion 27 and a pair of out-turned curved terminal portions 28, 29. The terminal portions 28 and 29 bear against a follower member. The body portion 27 of each presser element, centrally of its outer face is formed with a tapered ocket 30. The pocket is positioned at the Ongitudinal median of the body portion 27. Each presser 'element is in the form of a bowshaped spring having the ends thereof out turned.

Carried by the casing 5 is a pair of oppositely extending combined holding and at justing members and each of which is in the form of an adjustin screw 31 having threaded engagement wit the inner face of a boss 14 and further having threaded engagernent with the wall of an opening 12 or 13. The inner end of each member 31 is tapered, as at 32 for seating in the pocket 30. The outer end of each member is provided with a polygonal shaped head 33 to facilitate the adjustment thereofl by a suitable tool or other instrument. The members 31 not only provide means for increasing and decreasing the tension of the presser elements 26, but further in connection with presser elements 26, provide means for shift mg the follower members towards the packlll ing elements and further for the sidewise adjustment of the packing elements with respect to the polish rod l. The setting up and adjusting of the packing elements, in the manner shown and described, enable the packing elements to be substantially used up before being discarded and further provide lor uniform wear throughout upon the walls or the grooves formed in said packing elements. The arrangement of the members 31 in the manner as shown permit of the convenient adjusting thereof when occasion requires. The housing 5 and cover element when combined, provides a lubricant and packing element support and further provides a guide for the pump rod.

lt is thought the many advantages of a stuffing box, in accordance with this invention for the purpose set orth, can be readily understood, and although the preferred embodiment of the invention is as illustrated and described, yet it is to be understood that changes in the details of construction can be had which will fall Within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What I claim is:

ont an oil well pump rod having depending therefrom means for coupling it to an oil well casing, said housing further formed with a chamber opening at the top thereof and adapted to receive packing elements for the rod, a cover element including a shell like body portion having thel lower part of its inner face threadedly engagin with the upper portion of the periphery o the housing, said shell like body portion formed intermediate its ends and integral with its inner lace with an inwardly extending flat annular web seated on the top 0f the housing and further adapted to seat on the upper ends of the packing elements positioned in said chamber, said cover element further including an upstanding pump rod guide sleeve integral-at its lower end with the web and ush with the inner face of the latter, said sleeve forming in connection withthe web and that part of the shell like body portion of the cover element above the web a lubricant chamber, said cover element provided with lubricant discharge ports disposed at the point of joinder of the sleeve and the web.

In testimony whereof, I atlix my signature hereto.-

SEBASTIAN L.. CALVERT. 

